Quick Transmigration: What to Do When the Male Supporting Character You Saved Becomes Obsessed with

Chapter 146 The Ruthless and Disabled Crown Prince (50)

Ji Shuqin took a moment to react before looking at the thing Lu Liruan had handed him: a hairpin wrapped in cotton cloth.

After Lu Liruan received it from the Empress, she carefully kept it safe.

Ji Shuqin looked at the hairpin, pondered for a moment, and then replied, "It was indeed made by me. I didn't expect the Empress Dowager to give it to you."

Lu Liruan feigned surprise: "Is that so... I didn't expect this gift to have such a history. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to return it directly to Your Majesty. How about I return it to you instead?"

After saying that, Lu Liruan handed over the hairpin with an embarrassed expression.

Ji Shuqin clearly did not expect that Lu Liruan would ask to return it.

Before he could even speak, the hairpin was already handed to him.

"This is a gift from the Empress Dowager to the Crown Princess; it's nothing valuable." He reached out to refuse.

As he reached out his hand, Lu Liruan swiftly placed the cloth bag in his palm, then quickly put her hands behind her back and stepped aside.

“This was a gift from my eldest brother to Mother. It’s not quite appropriate for it to end up in my hands, since this gift represents filial piety,” Lu Liruan said righteously.

"The Empress Dowager..." Ji Shuqin hesitated for a moment, a hint of unease appearing on his gentle and refined face.

"It's probably because His Highness didn't tell Mother that I would be coming today. We were inconsiderate and have put Mother in a difficult position," Lu Liruan said gently and understandingly.

If I had to say something, I would say that since Her Majesty the Empress left the palace penniless, she couldn't offer me any decent gifts.

Lu Liruan didn't need to listen; just by looking at the frown on the man's brow, she could guess what he was going to say next.

As Lu Liruan spent more time with Ji Shumin, she found that her ability to read people's expressions, understand their inner thoughts, and even predict their behavior had improved considerably.

It's totally a... scheming teaching class! And it's free, one-on-one.

Lu Liruan still couldn't understand Ji Shumin's mindset of finding endless joy in fighting with others, but she could indeed sense some of its appeal.

Even if the Empress were to live a life of seclusion, could she really be so impoverished?

The empress was not deposed and forced to leave the palace; rather, she voluntarily requested to leave to become a nun.

Even though the reason wasn't explicitly stated, it was known to everyone, from the imperial court to the common people.

After the emperor finished making a scene, he wanted to calm things down in order to maintain the dignity of the emperor.

The empress's request to leave the palace was actually a condition she set, not a choice she was forced to accept.

The Emperor's permission for her to leave the palace was essentially a silent reassurance; as time passed after the Empress's departure, the matter would gradually subside.

The Emperor wished the Empress would stay quiet and obedient forever, as if she never existed. He probably wanted her to remain silently in a temple outside the palace for the rest of her life, never to appear in front of anyone again.

How could we possibly mistreat her?

Is the Empress feeling too quiet these days? Want to add some excitement to her peaceful existence?

The Empress was strong-willed, which could be sensed from the few words and phrases people used to describe her. How could the Emperor, who had been with her for so many years, not know this?

How could they possibly give her a reason to lash out so easily? The events of that year were a case of the Emperor wrongly accusing the Empress.

On the way here, Lu Liruan casually asked Ji Shumin about the origin of this temple.

This is an ancient temple that has been a popular place of worship since the previous dynasty. It is said to be very efficacious. Legend has it that when the founding emperor of this dynasty was preparing to establish his capital here, he made a special trip to this temple to meet the abbot at the time.

The two had a secret conversation in the temple, and the emperor decided without hesitation to establish the capital in what is now Beijing.

Although the current dynasty has experienced turbulent times and wars over the past 150 years, it has ultimately returned to peace and stability.

Meanwhile, the capital city enjoyed favorable weather and abundant harvests, and never experienced disasters such as earthquakes or epidemics that plagued the people.

This temple was transformed into an imperial temple, accessible only to royalty, court officials, and their families.

Later, the Empress came here to cultivate herself, and no one else was allowed to come and pay their respects. Until now, only the Empress and her family have lived here.

The abbot was unwilling to leave the temple. He was old and highly respected, so the emperor granted him and several disciples permission to continue their practice there.

They were in the front yard, while the Empress and the eldest prince were in the back yard, where there were servants.

When Lu Liruan first entered the Empress's room, the incense and every piece of furniture in the room were all extraordinary.

The Empress's appearance remained beautiful, and her fingers were still soft and slender, clearly indicating that she had never suffered any hardship.

Lu Liruan didn't care about how the Empress lived or how she practiced her asceticism, but in front of her, she would pretend to be living a life of hardship and poverty.

Lu Liruan doesn't believe a single punctuation mark.

If you're going to pretend... at least do it properly.

Lu Liruan glanced subtly at Ji Shuqin, who was still standing beside her, with the corner of her eye.

Both he and the empress were dressed in simple and plain clothes.

But... she really thought of herself as a clueless, ignorant, and unsophisticated young lady from a noble family.

Simple style and color do not mean cheap craftsmanship and materials.

As Ji Shuqin moved, the hem of his scholar's robe shimmered softly in the cool, warm mountain light. How could it be a cheap item?

“What’s so difficult about this? On the day of Min’er’s wedding, Mother stood in the courtyard, gazing in the direction of the palace, and stood there for a long time.” Ji Shuqin sighed softly.

"Your Majesty has the heart of a loving mother." Lu Liruan responded sincerely.

The mountain wind was a bit chilly, and Lu Liruan's fingers inside her sleeves felt cold. She curled up, wanting to rub her hands and stomp her feet, but with others around, she could only continue to stand dignifiedly.

Lu Liruan remained silent, and a hint of confusion crossed Ji Shuqin's expression. He had thought that this seemingly innocent and frank Crown Princess would ask him about Ji Shumin.

"How are the Crown Princess and Min'er doing in the palace?" Ji Shumin sighed, a hint of worry in his voice.

"With the Emperor's protection, I've lived a fairly comfortable life," Lu Liruan replied politely.

“Ever since Min’er was injured, he has always been very dejected whenever I see him, but today he seems to be getting along well with the Crown Princess.” Ji Shuqin pursed his lips; his smile was quite different from Ji Shumin’s.

His smile resembles that of the Empress.

Dejected?

Lu Liruan wondered if her definition of "dejected" was different, but from the first time she met Ji Shumin, he had never been dejected.

It is cold and hard, sharp and sarcastic... but also strong, strategic and patient.

Whether in court intrigues or in ordinary times, Ji Shumin displayed extraordinary composure. If someone was placed within his sphere of influence, his standards were very high.

At the same time, his efforts and promises are open and honest, and Lu Liruan now completely trusts his personal charm.

This feeling can connect people closely. Lu Liruan didn't know if it was because Ji Shumin had said it so many times, but now she really felt that she and Ji Shumin were the closest people to each other.

“The last time he came, the famous doctor who had been treating me was here, whom my mother had gone to great lengths to invite. But how could he refuse to let the doctor treat him?” Ji Shuqin’s helplessness was genuine.

"Has he really improved at all?"

"His Highness the Crown Prince takes his medicine on time every day, so the First Prince need not worry too much."

It's so weird.

Just now in the room, the Empress seemed to care nothing about Ji Shumin's health. She watched Ji Shumin take his medicine and even said such careless and absurd things.

Why does Ji Shuqin seem to be genuinely worried about Ji Shumin's health?

What kind of riddle are these three people, mother and children, playing?

Lu Liruan wouldn't say much about things she didn't understand; too much talk leads to mistakes, and who knows if someone was trying to get some information from her?

After several conversations, Ji Shuqin clearly regarded her as a well-mannered, cautious, and well-educated young lady from a prominent family.

"I'm so sorry to trouble the Crown Princess with all this worry about Min'er's health. As her elder brother, I can't offer any help, and it really pains me to say that," Ji Shuqin said with a wry smile, shaking his head.

“It’s what I should do,” Lu Liruan replied obediently.

Noticing Lu Liruan's gaze, which kept glancing towards the Empress's room.

Ji Shuqin, being considerate, said, "I'll go see the Empress Dowager and Min'er."

Lu Liruan curtsied and watched him walk away.

He was tall and slender, with broad shoulders but a thin build, which clearly indicated a deficiency in his health. However, he is recovering well now.

Is it a coincidence that both brothers are in poor health?

After about half an incense stick's time, the door opened, and Ji Shuqin pushed Ji Shumin out from inside.

Lu Liruan observed Ji Shumin's expression from afar and found that he was more indifferent than when she left, and did not seem to have been angered by the Empress at the beginning.

It's unclear whether the Empress Gang failed to provoke him or whether he remained unaffected.

The two brothers were talking about something, but Lu Liruan was too far away to hear clearly.

Ji Shuqin pushed the wheelchair smoothly. He leaned down, turned his head, and spoke to Ji Shumin with a gentle expression.

Although Ji Shumin didn't give him a pleasant look, he didn't show any sign of annoyance.

Lu Liruan couldn't figure out what the relationship between the two of them was like.

"Why did it take you so long to come see Mother? I thought you would come soon after your wedding. Mother has been talking about you these past few days." Ji Shumin bent down and carefully tidied the blanket covering Ji Shumin's legs.

“My Crown Princess is shy.” Ji Shumin had already spotted Lu Liruan and was staring straight at her when he casually replied.

"Oh? I just had a brief chat with the Crown Princess. She is both reasonable and sensible."

Ji Shumin raised an eyebrow and looked at Ji Shuqin.

If Lu Liruan were beside him, she would surely be able to read his meaning: What are you saying? Is it your eyes that are not working properly?

Ji Shuqin saw Ji Shumin laugh, but there was not a trace of hostility in that laugh: "Yes, there is no woman more dignified and sensible than my Crown Princess."

His sarcasm is now at a masterful level.

"If you think it's a good match, then it's a good match." Ji Shuqin nodded, but seemed somewhat worried.

"If you feel it's good, then cherish the time you spend together. Husbands and wives should care for each other," he said softly.

Ji Shumin understood his veiled meaning but did not respond. He simply replied, "Of course I care."

"My relationship with the Crown Princess is very good." After a pause, Ji Shumin added confidently.

Lu Liruan happened to walk over at that moment and heard Ji Shumin's words.

Her eyebrows and eyes unconsciously curved into a smile.

Since Ji Shuqin was still on the side, Lu Liruan didn't say anything, but simply took Ji Shuqin's place. Naturally, Ji Shumin turned to look at her.

When he noticed that her fingertips were red from the cold, he placed his hand over them.

However, his hands were never warm, and compared to Lu Liruan's icy hands, they were only slightly warm.

“Let’s go,” Ji Shumin said to Lu Liruan.

Ji Shuqin stopped her, saying, "Let's have a meal together here with Mother!"

Ji Shumin looked at him with a questioning gaze, causing Ji Shuqin to involuntarily step aside.

“Min’er, you know, your mother…” Ji Shuqin was clearly not as calm and natural in front of his younger brother as he was in front of Lu Liruan.

“I know,” Ji Shumin replied, but did not say what he knew.

But anyone with a discerning eye can see that their understanding of "knowing" is definitely not the same.

“Your Highness, it’s getting late. It’s not good for His Highness to stay outside for too long,” Lu Liruan said, trying to smooth things over.

Ji Shuqin looked even more exhausted, so he could only nod and say, "Alright, have a safe journey."

Lu Liruan looked at Ji Shumin and asked if she should go back to her room to politely say goodbye to the Empress.

Ji Shumin gave him a gentle push on the back, and the two left together.

As Ji Shuqin watched the two figures from behind, he suddenly realized that Ji Shumin seemed to have never had such a natural and supportive feeling with anyone before.

The Queen's door remained closed until the carriage had left along the same route.

After the sound completely disappeared and the carriage was nowhere to be seen, Ji Shuqin pushed open the Empress's door again.

The empress knelt on the prayer mat, her eyes closed, intently chanting Buddhist scriptures, her face blank.

"Mother, Min'er is leaving."

"Ah."

"Why are you still treating him like this..." Ji Shuqin hesitated to answer.

“He has never listened to what I say.” The Queen lowered her hands, opened her eyes, and said calmly, “He is not like you; he is not like my child at all.”

After getting into the carriage, Lu Liruan secretly glanced at Ji Shumin, wanting to see if he was really no longer angry or if he was just pretending to be calm.

Even with his eyes closed in repose, Ji Shumin could feel the Crown Princess's gaze beside him, like that of a little mouse trying to steal oil: "Hmm?"

"How are you feeling?" Lu Liruan asked cautiously.

"Thanks to the Crown Princess, everything is going very well," Ji Shumin said lightly.

"Oh, right, I returned the hairpin to the Crown Prince." Lu Liruan remembered this.

"You've become smarter." Ji Shumin reached out and patted Lu Liruan's head, his fingertips sliding down to her earlobe and giving it a natural, affectionate pinch.

"I'll give you something even better." His voice carried a hint of amusement.

Aside from Lu Liruan feeling that the Empress's gift seemed to inexplicably suggest financial difficulties, it was still quite strange.

Hairpins are such an everyday item for women.

Even though Lu Liruan didn't know much about it, she knew that some men would give hairpins or hair flowers to express their affection for women.

Although it was a gift from the Empress, who else was present?

Knowing what happened between Ji Shumin and myself is useless; what if someone uses it against us later...

Lu Liruan kept this thought to herself. After all, they were Ji Shumin's mother and elder brother, and it was in front of him. Lu Liruan wondered if she was overthinking it.

But it's always good to think things through more thoroughly.

Ji Shumin watched her deep in thought, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Did my brother tell you about me?" he asked casually.

Lu Liruan shook her head: "Aside from returning the hairpin, she didn't say anything else."

No wonder he said those things to me… Ji Shumin understood.